T.1 Generating the model geometry

On the Model ribbon tab, select the Grid tool in the Create group.

The Create Grid dialog opens.
Supply the grid details:
1. Type Grid 1 in the Name field.
2. Leave the Plane selection as XY and the Creation Method as By Spacing.
3. Type 20 in the Number of spaces in X and 1 ft in the Grid spacing X fields.
4. Type 15 in the Number of spaces in Y and 1 ft in the Grid spacing Y fields.
5. Click OK. The grid is created.
You can control the visibility of individual grids by selecting the Grids tool on the Spreadsheet ribbon tab, where you can also change the settings for each grid. You can have as many grids as necessary displayed at one time.
On the Model ribbon tab, select the Member tool in the Create group.

The tool is highlighted to show it is active. A yellow circle highlights the grid intersection the cursor "snaps" to when you hover in the view area.
Click on the lower, right corner of the grid (i.e., the origin at 0,0,0). A dashed line is "rubber banded" from this point to your cursor.
Click on the following two points around the edge to draw two members:
- (0,15,0)
- (20,15,0)
Double-click on the final point at (20,0,0). This instructs the program you are finished drawing connected members.
Tip: The tool remains active until so you can continue drawing a new set of connected members elsewhere if necessary.
Select the Member tool again to make it inactive.
On the View ribbon tab, select the Grids tool in the Reference group.

The tool is no longer highlighted and all grids are hidden in the display.
Switch on the node and beam labels:
1. On the View ribbon tab, select the drop-down list below the Numbering tool in the Model group.
2. Select Node and Member on this list. They are both marked with a check.
3. Select the Numbering tool.

You have now created the nodes and members for this model.

You can review the geometry of each by selecting the Nodes tool in the Nodes group and Members tool in the Members group on the Spreadsheet ribbon tab, respectively.